Both driver and team made their Ginetta debuts last year as they partnered up for a season in the GT5 Am class. Steel enjoyed a competitive campaign, scoring a class podium in only his second race in the series at Thruxton and then a double top three later in the year at Donington Park.
Steel, who previously enjoyed success in tin-top racing, unveiled his new Ginetta G56 GTA [pictured] during the official Ginetta season launch at Silverstone on Monday.
Mark Steel: “I enjoyed racing in the GT5 Challenge and I think towards the end of the season I was there on pace – I was only half a second slower around Donington GP than the quickest Am. We did consider doing another season in it, but in the end, we thought ‘okay, take the step up to GT Academy early, because we can handle it.’
“The Ginetta G56 is a very different beast and a lot quicker than the GT5 in a straight line. It’s not as quick through the corners, which is a bit strange, so you find yourself going a lot faster on approach, but having to scrub off a lot more speed and be very clever with where you turn it in. However, I’ve got to say I am finding it really enjoyable.
“It’s a competitive field, but with a lot of effort you can get yourself up the grid. The plan is to try and get out the blocks earlier than we have done in the past, see if we can find some pace early in the season, and try to challenge the top half of the field.”
The Ginetta GT Academy gives drivers of all experience levels the opportunity to enjoy entry level GT racing. The series offers an uncompromising package of high performance racing at an affordable cost, with the exposure of competing at British GT and BTCC events.
